It had heard from dozens of witnesses in Liberia and Sierra Leone in February and March this year. Under the war name “General Butt Naked” Blahyi wreaked havoc as head of a troop of young, drugged and naked soldiers known for their cruelty and penchant for magic during the first civil war (1989-1997). Asked by defense lawyer Kaarle Gummerus how he got the name ‘Butt Naked’, Blahyi said during the war a journalist photographed him while he was naked. They said Mr. Bility wanted them to testify that Mr. Massaquoi and Ms. Taylor committed human rights violations and promised to pay them between US$15,000 and US$20,000 once they had testified. Mr. Bility, upon the invitation of the prosecution, appeared before the court earlier this week and rubbished the claims.

Source: Front Page Africa October 07, 2021 06:07 UTC